The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1887-01-27
RELIEF CORPS NEWS.
GleaningS from National Headquar-
terS--NOteS from the Departments.
HEADQUARTERS WoMAN's RELIEF CORPS,
SAN Francisco. CAL.

HEADQUARTERS woMAy's RELIEF CORPS,
SAN FRANCISCO, CAL.
ELIZABETH D'A. KIsSE, National President.
NELLIE g. BAcKUs, National Secretary.
JAN. 20. 1887.
DEAR TRIBUNE: A charter application, with
30 names attached, has been received from
jacksonville, Fla, making Corps No. in that
far-away State.
Letters are being received daily from Depart
ment Presidents asking for an extension of
time for the inspection Of Corps. Owing to the
inclemency of the weather in many, even most,
of the States, it has been impossible to make
the rounds, though we in California are blessed
with bright and sunny days The National
President has granted the request, only desir-
ing that the reports be in the hands of the
National Inspector by April l, that she may
have sufficient time to make up her final report.
Mrs. Lizzie Anderson, Past National Junior
Vice-Presdent, who was recently removed from
her sphere of labor by death, did the pioneer
work OF instituting Corps in New Mexico, and
since then, after much uphill work, they have
been formed into Provisional Department.,
under Mrs. Cassie Henderson. During Febru-
airy Mrs Sarah Pratt Carr, Department Inspec-
tor of California, will officially visit New
Mexico, and it is expected that they will be
reused TO new interest
We have very encouraging letters from Mrs.
Mary Reynolds, Department President of Ken
lucky, who writes that work there is progress
ing well, although it is difficult to find women
to take an interest in the broad objects of the
Order, as many Of the old soldiers there located
very soon after the war and married Southern
girls, whose sympathies are devoted more par
ticularly to one member of the GAR, and
whose charitable instincts naturally 60 out to
those who wore the gray
Although the Woman's Relief Corps feels deep
sympathy with the Grand Army in their be-
reavement at the loss of any one Of their noble
comrades, and would gladly indicate it in every
possible way, it is inappropriate that they or
their charters should wear mourning. This
must be done only on the death of member of
the W.R.C
As the National Treasurer after the 18th of
February will be removed from her base of
supplies short time. making official visits in
Virginia and Maryland, the National President
requests that the Department Treasurers imme-
diately order sufficient supplies to last until
March.
As the time for Department Conventions
draws near, the National President desires to
call the attention of the presiding officers and
delegates to the extreme Importance of electing
the Department President and Treasurer and
appointing the Department Secretary all from
one place.
Attention has been called to the necessity of
this by the great tardiness and inaccuracy of
the reports from Departments where such has
not been the case.
And again where reports have been returned
for corrections they have been much delayed
by the length of time consumed in sending
them first to one place and then another. No
matter how well qualified may be the Secretary
and Treasurer, their reports must be under
the personal supervision of the Department
President, who alone is responsible for them.
We wish to impress the importance of this upon
all.
The National President regrets to learn that
some Corps Presidents, as well as other men,
bers, do not yet fully appreciate the full i'm
portance Of the provisions made in our regu-
lations as TO what constitutes eligibility to
membership. Let me quote from the Rules
and Regulations, Article IV, Chapter Il:
Women OF good moral character and correct de-
pertinent in communities in which they live, who
have not given aid and comfort TO the enemies Of
the Union, who would perpetuate the principles to
which this association stands pledged. and who
have attained the age of 10 years. shall be eligible
to membership in the Woman's Relief Corps.
This question was fully discussed and settled
for all time at the first National Convention,
and yet there are somo few members in differ
ent Corps who are stirring up strife and con-
tention, by agitating the rights of any but
soldiers relatives TO become members of our
Order. To all such we can only say that while
they hold that opinion they should not remain
in the Order; but If they do remain, they
must accept the principles of our organization
as they stand revealed in our regulations To
do otherwise in any instance it would be proper
to hold the member amenable to the discip-
line Of our Order, and a proper application Of
such discipline might work great good in some
quarters. While all members of our Order
must be loyal women, the admission to our
ranks Of those who are not bound TO the Grand
Army by ties Of kindred is one Of its brightest
features
Every true, loyal heart should be enlisted
under our banner, and, as the years roll by and
the membership of tho Grand Army naturally
decreases by the gradual muster-out Of its com
rades, the W.R.C can take up the work where
they are compelled to lay it down, and while
caring for the wards of the Grand Army can
inculcate lessons of patriotism and love of
country among our children and in the COM
munities in which they live. EUREKA.
DECISIONS OF THE NATIONAL PRESIDENT
Query. II at the first regular meeting of Corps
In December there should not be a quorum, and
the meeting ado to a date other than that for
the regular meeting. would election of officers
at that meeting be legal?
Answer. Yes. The Regulations provide that the
election should be held at the first meeting In De-
cember, or at an adjourned meeting Immediately
thereafter. and while notice OF such meeting prop
erly should be given by the Corps President the
legality of the election of any officers at such ad
journed meeting cannot be questioned. if eight or
more members are present. All members should
know when the regular election takes place, and
a. 4.